[001] - audio

[notdaredevil]

[Matt’s had a lot to think about, since he got here. A lot of decisions to make. But he never intended to be in hiding; he’s not going to stay out of the conflict, this time, if conflict comes. So it feels like it might be important to go on record, for this, and say some things.]

My name is Matt Murdock. Over the past two months, I’ve spoken to many of you about a lot of things. Law, super powered trials, registration, the quality of the sandwiches down 14th street…and some of you I knew before, from my life as a defense attorney in New York City. And I’ve noticed there’s at topic that keeps resurfacing, over and over, about what’s the right thing to do, and whether or not you have or should take what you’ve been given. I’m sure some of you have answers by now, but if you don’t, let me shed some light on the subject for you.

[He sounds perfectly at ease with this, matter-of-fact, an indisputable list of evidence laid out piece by piece, with full conviction that what he's saying is absolutely 100% honest and his decisions are the right ones:]

These are the facts as I know them: you do not have to register. You do not have to stay in the job you were given. I can and will personally testify to that; I’ve left my position as a probationary defense attorney with a firm in town to go out on my own. You will lose whatever grandfathered certifications you received from the government to continue working in your old field, or the field they assigned you. But you can re-obtain those under your own steam, if you're willing to put in the effort. I retook the bar a few weeks ago. I couldn’t stop them from pulling strings so I could take it ahead of their regularly scheduled sessions, and I don’t feel comfortable about that. But I decided it was more important to be answerable to my own principles than to have a secure job somewhere under someone else’s direction. I’m not interested in taking something I didn’t earn for myself, and I am not going to have that sort of leverage hanging over my head- that my career was something they granted me rather than something I did on my own.

[His voice picks up volume now, getting stronger, more definite, more sure:]

I will also testify that I have been here for well over two months, and I have still declined to register. I don’t believe in it. I will never believe in it. I can’t agree to forced oversight unanswerable to any process of law, and that’s the way it is. Nobody has come to twist my arm yet. [He pauses, for a second.] At least, nobody from the government here. So you have that option. Recognize, however, that there are consequences to being a vigilante, if that’s what you choose to do. There always have been consequences, and there always will be. Whether or not you feel that’s a risk worth taking is a personal decision you have to make for yourself. Whether or not you even feel there’s a cause worth standing for and taking that risk.

[You can practically hear him rounding the finish line, heading for the conclusion with full confidence:]

I hope that at least gives some of you some peace of mind. If there’s any questions you want to ask me about it, I can only speak to my personal experiences, but please feel free. You’re welcome to stop by my new office any time if you’d like to talk in person as well. I can’t say it’s comparably fancy to the old one, but at least it’s my office.

Comments

audio :

[alofts]

[ Calm and rational explanation of what's what. Those were his favorite. ]

Given that this government seems to keep tabs on us wouldn't that mean registration is only a formality? We've all gotten the dossier folders that were pretty bare bones, but that leaves you wondering how much they have on us they're not sharing.

In two months do you belive registration leaves us vulnerable to or protected from bureaucratic blackmail? If vigilante is synonymous with pariah here then I can't imagine being outspoken is any more well-received.

[ Not that he plans on shying away from being either. ]

audio :

[notdaredevil]

[Just the facts, sir, and the evidence. Conjecture is for the question and answer section.]

I think it could be argued. And I'm willing to act under the assumption that they know quite a lot about me.

But I would say that two months is a very short time, yet I don't know many people who have been here, in this city, much longer. There's something that came before, but I am not the right person to ask for details on that. I'm sure their plans are much longer term, but I don't know enough yet to speculate on what exactly the endgame is in this situation, or how far they're willing to go. If necessary, I'm prepared to reveal any blackmail-worthy details myself. I'm not going to play that sort of game.

[This is exactly the sort of reason he's known for a reckless reputation. Man Without Fear.]

audio.

[selfequipped]

[When she replies, her voice is tired. She's had a very, very long day. Matt will have likely noticed that she didn't come in to work. She didn't call, either. It slipped her mind. Oh, she didn't forget, it just seemed unimportant.]

It's funny. Your speeches don't annoy me as much as some other people's.

audio.

[notdaredevil]

[It should be considered a mark of trust that he didn't go immediately tracking her down, trusting that whatever it was was something she needed to handle and something she could handle, and that she wouldn't just no-show without a reason. One of those things, you know, that happen to people like them.]

That's good, because you're going to end up hearing a lot of them. How was your day off?

[Casual, like that was planned and intentional, and not an unintended side effect.]

permavoice

[glassbox]

[ wryly: ]

Maybe what y'need is a fern. You'd be surprised how fancy a little greenery can make a place.

permavoice

[notdaredevil]

Well, the welcome goes double for you, so if you felt inclined to bring one...

[beenwaitinglong]

I admire your dedication to your principles, Mr. Murdock.

[Siiiip. Coffee, clearly.]

Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of that independence. Some cannot afford to say no to the government's offer.

[notdaredevil]

I didn't say it was possible for everyone, or easy. I'm not saying everybody should. That's their call to make. But there's been a lot of discussion over whether or not it's even possible, so I'm at least offering one successful example that it can be done.

VOICE.

[indentcision]

Congratulations, Matt.

Will you be representing unregistered vigilantes, too?

VOICE.

[notdaredevil]

[There he is.]

In what context, Harvey?

audio; wild tiger comm

[earnedmystripes]

[Kotetsu has been waiting for a post like this, really. Not because he's personally uncertain about what to do about registration, because he realized from the beginning that he would be very unlikely to be able to make it on his own here, but because here is finally a post in which someone isn't trying to convince people one way or the other. There's been a question on his mind, and he thinks he can ask Matt without having to get into an argument about it.]

I've been wondering something, actually.

[Beat.]

It seems like whenever registration comes up, people are really intense about it, one way or the other. I was wondering if there was some kinda context there for why, from the place that came from before here?

It's never seemed like more than an agreement to work for the government to me, so maybe there's something I'm missing.

audio; wild tiger comm

[notdaredevil]

Oh, that's not particularly complicated.

[If this were video, or in person, and if he were actually being Daredevil at the moment, now would be the time for some thoughtful cane twirling as he thinks about how to say this without necessarily giving his secret identity away just yet. One day, he might actually have to explain his involvement (or non-involvement, in this matter), but nobody needs to know he's Daredevil right off the bat for him to impart his expertise and knowledge. It's not necessarily a secret; but it might be a complication.]

There's a significant minority of people who are all from the same, ah, universe. I'm one of them. A few years back, there was an attempt at forcing superhero registration, quickly enforced as a result of a tragic mishap on the part of a small team who called themselves the New Warriors which resulted in heavy civilian casualties. Under the act, anyone who acted as a superhero or had what is commonly known as "superpowers" (like the ones they've given you) were expected to reveal their civilian identities to the government and submit themselves to government oversight and monitoring, including the conscription of superpowered individuals to assist in government action. Predictably, this went very badly, very fast.

Obviously it was very divisive, so now it's become a somewhat heated issue for those of us who were there, at the time, even those of us not particularly involved with any of the action.

audio

[axemeaquestion]

Do you know what would happen if you were registered and changed jobs? Would you lose your other privileges, too? [Ro registered for a lot of reasons. But she had about a million more uncertainties about it to go with it.] Thanks for this, by the way. I've been here about a week now, so I'm still learning how everything works.

But, uh. What did you mean by 'vigilante'?

audio

[notdaredevil]

I don't, because that wasn't really an option for me. I don't think, as long as you remained registered, they would take them away. As I understand it, they're part of that deal. Automatically giving you a job was just part of that. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find out. I don't think it's the sort of thing they'd frown upon. [He's still trying to piece together all of the legal aspects and ramifications of this. It's not one of those things that's easily done, particularly with a whole new legal history to draw on, but he's working on it.] But you're welcome. I'm sorry I don't have any more information. There's still a lot for me to keep researching.

That, though- [He grins a bit, and it's audible in his voice, that this is a much happier and easier topic.] I assume you're not from somewhere where they do the whole...masks-and-spandex style of fighting crime. [As somebody so eloquently put it.]

Audio

[vengefulshades]

You're kidding yourself if you think they aren't keeping track of you anyway.

Audio

[notdaredevil]

Who says I ever thought that? I might be blind, but I'm well aware I'm at least visibly marked. To other people, anyway.

voice;

[enigmaestro]

I do wonder, what reactions you were anticipating.

voice;

[selfimage]

Come on, that's the best part.

text; private

[fronttowardenemy]

Murdock.

[ that is literally it. ]

text; private

[notdaredevil]

[God you are an asshole, Frank Castle.]

Don't even.

audio;

[ifnotloyal]

Somehow I don't think going unregistered would work as well for me as others.

[ He's lived his whole life wearing an ID around his neck, man, so same old, same old. ]

But it's good to know I don't have to keep a job forever.

audio;

[notdaredevil]

I know, Ace. If I had a better solution for people in that sort of situation, I would give it.

[A dog's perspective is undoubtedly much different from a human's.]

They're not going to force you to stay, no. If you ever get tired of kids, I'm sure the firehouse is probably hiring. Could be exciting.

audio;

[databoner]

Speaking as one who has already registered, it's interesting to see those who are so vocal about their own lack of registering. Should someone want to "unregister," is it possible, and would it be worth even doing, considering we've already given everything away to the government?

audio;

[notdaredevil]

That I don't know.

To my knowledge, no one has ever tried, and it would I think depend in the language under which they required the oath and the provisions they've built into registration, which is still something that's taking quite a bit of research to fully investigate. I wouldn't expect them to outline a way to quit in their pitch, just in case, but if they want this to remain acceptable and at least hold a pretense of legitimacy, I don't think it would be a wise decision on their parts to not allow that option.

[That said, it wouldn't surprise him at all if they didn't. He doesn't remember Tony Stark's registration push having an out-clause.]

I'll keep looking into it.

AUDIO.

[selfimage]

This is the best one I heard yet--though I can't quite pinpoint whether or not it's the content of your speech or the one making it. Mister Edgeworth and Mister Stark are awfully preachy, aren't they?

The defiance is refreshing.

AUDIO.

[notdaredevil]

I'm sure I don't know what you mean. I answered some questions and stated my personal opinions on the matter. That's all.

[He sounds way too smug for that to be true, and they both know that it isn't. But take note, people- sometimes you don't have to beat people over the head to start getting your idea out there.]

audio

[gevurah]

Sounds like a celebration is in order.

audio

[notdaredevil]

I'd say so. You're welcome to buy me a drink, any time.

audio;

[sacrificusdux]

What consequences do you speak of?

[Simple, to the point but this post echoes a great deal of what Erwin had been pondering since his arrival.]

audio;

[notdaredevil]

Whether the preferred term is vigilante or superhero, there's always been a measure of illegality to putting on a costume and a mask and fighting crime. Or not, as you prefer. How illegal, and what is or is not permissible or allowed to slide, tends to vary on the person in question, or the precinct, or the laws. In my experience, anyway.

As far as I know, there's been no attempt to bring any "illegal" import vigilantes to justice to date, and how that will play out in a courtroom here remains to be seen. But it would have been a gross oversight to leave out the possibility.

voice;

[waiting]

[ Not like he's had much (any) experience talking to this Matt Murdock, but this is definitely the most he's heard any incarnation of him say at one time. When he finally responds, he keeps his voice polite and friendly, easy.

Not like he's got any idea how to bring up the subject of hey, you don't remember me, but you asked me to kill you in a death match once and then you came back crazy. ]

Good speech. [ That could have sounded patronizing, but his tone seems to suggest he actually means it. ] Not the first time you've run this kinda rodeo, then?

voice;

[notdaredevil]

[It's probably a good thing to keep that little detail under wraps for now. It would almost certainly go over badly, and while Matt's not trying to avoid anything that happened in this life he doesn't remember, and refuses to not look at the damning evidence he's being presented with again and again, now's not the time or the place.]

Superhuman registration? No. It was a thing once before, back where I come from. Many years ago for me, but apparently not so much for other people.

[Tony Stark.]

Voice

[liverletdie]

Wasn't that nice of them too? Putting in all of that extra effort, and you're not even going to say thanks?

Voice

[notdaredevil]

The Florida Bar? I already did. They're just doing their jobs, according to what they've been told and what they feel is best. I don't have to agree with it, or like it, but I'm not going to pretend it didn't make my life easier either.

But I don't think you mean them, Tony.

audio; encrypted

[shutterbugged]

Living up to the name, huh? You know I'll do my best to back you up from this side of the line.

How weird is that, huh? I'm not supposed to be the legitimate one here!

audio; encrypted

[notdaredevil]

I might take you up on that. If only because you might know of the best place to start digging.

And believe me, it doesn't seem any less odd from this side of the fence. How are you holding up?